PUBLISHED: 19 Jul 2024 at 06: 03
In an effort to cut the lifeline of the narcotics trade, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has instructed the Anti-Money Laundering Office ( Amlo ) to prioritize seizing the assets of so-called “big fish” drug networks.
Mr. Srettha was briefed on the progress made by the organization in putting its policies and procedures into practice at an Amlo meeting on Thursday.
According to Amlo secretary-general Thepsu Bawornchotdara, the firm seized at least 523 million ringgit in property in opiate drug-related circumstances between 2023 and 2024.
Property held by a pharmaceutical group allegedly run by Charnchai Khlonglu worth at least 100 million ringgit were the biggest seizures.
Amlo’s statement on its operations even listed the system of a Myanmar billionaire, Tun Min Latt, from whom 48 million baht worth of assets was impounded in 2022, and the medicine system of a business, identified as Chaiyanat” Tuhao” Kornchayanant, whose seized assets were valued at 37 million ringgit.
Following the briefing, Mr. Srettha stated to the audience that Amlo and relevant organizations must immediately pursue the assets of main narcotics networks in order to actively combat drug traffickers and traders.
The leading claimed that the country is also receiving a lot of illegal drugs. According to him, Amlo has confiscate assets that have been acquired with drug money in order to launder money in all cases.
However, the “big seafood” traffickers and traders provide the inland finances for the entire substance networks, so their assets may be impounded swiftly to destroy the distribution channel, trafficking and sales, he said.
Amlo has the power to enforce the law, and it must work quickly, Mr Srettha said, adding,” Persons are watching”.
Additionally, Mr. Srettha reaffirmed Amlo’s commitment to actively collaborate with various organizations, such as the Royal Thai Police (RTP), to develop studies and improve the efficiency of asset seizures.
He urged the organization to acquiesce to the flow of illegal funds from call center schemes and online gaming.
According to Mr. Srettha, the seized goods will be used to pay compensation to the scammers. The organization may contribute to developing a stricter surveillance system for financial institutions to safeguard clients from scammers at the same time, he said.
Mr Srettha after met Angela Macdonald, the American ambassador to Thailand, to explore trans-border drug reduction activities.
When they next meet, he said he also planned to talk about narcotics-supression work with Robert F. Godec, the US embassy to Thailand.